Huwelijk van Karel Christiaan van Nassau-Weilburg en Carolina
Medium
striking (metalworking)
Dimensions
5; 34.52
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
diameter 5 cm x weight 34.52 gr
Art Historical Context
Behold the exquisite marriage medal *Huwelijk van Karel Christiaan van Nassau-Weil en Carolina* (1760), crafted by Dutch medalist Nicolaas van Sweren. This intimate 5 cm diameter piece, weighing 34.52 grams, the union of Charles Christian, Prince of Nassauilburg—a prominent figure in the German noble House of Nassau—and Carolina of Orange-Nassau, linking two influential European dynasties. Produced in the Rococo era, it exemplifies 18th-century medal art, where such objects served as portable tokens of prestige and personal milestones. Struck through metalworking—a precise technique using engraved dies to imprint intricate designs on a metal blank—this medal showcases Swinderen's mastery of fine detail in miniature form. Medals like this were cherished heirlooms, blending portraiture, symbolism, and heraldry to immortalize royal events. The Nassau-Orange alliance underscored shifting political ties in Enlightenment Europe, reflecting the era's fascination with lineage and legacy. Today, this delicate artifact invites us to ponder the grandeur of aristocratic life, where even a small medallion carried the weight of history. A true gem for collectors of numismatic art!